Trousers

Shell trousers for rain and wind

Shell trousers protect you fully from both wind and rain. The key element of shell trousers is a waterproof, breathable membrane. The best membrane materials breathe well, and our range includes both models suited to active pursuits and trousers built for more relaxed outings. The toughest shell trousers protect you even in demanding ice climbing.

There are differences between membranes: Gore-Tex is a reliable option, with membranes to suit both intense activity and professional use. Gore-Tex is always laminated as a complete layer onto the garment’s face fabric. A considerably cheaper manufacturing method is so-called coating, in which molten material is applied to the inner surface of the face fabric. Coated membranes offer fairly good weather protection and moderate breathability at an affordable price, though at the cost of durability. You can use shell trousers either as general-purpose trousers on a hike or as rain protection: shell trousers that pack down small slip easily into a rucksack or backpack.

Shell trousers use either a separate mesh/fabric lining or a 2.5- or 3-layer construction. A separate lining is often more comfortable for everyday use and is also a slightly warmer option. 3-layer shell trousers are the most durable and suited to the hardest use. In them, the face fabric, waterproof membrane and lining fabric are laminated into a single package. In 2.5-layer construction the face fabric and membrane are also laminated together, but instead of a full lining material, the inner surface of the membrane has an extremely light lining pattern, usually “printed” onto the membrane’s inner face. 2.5-layer trousers pack down into a very small space and, thanks to their light weight, are popular both as rain protection and for sports use: sometimes you head out for a run in weather challenging enough that being waterproof really matters.

Ski trousers and other winter trousers

Ski and winter trousers come in two types: insulated and shell. Insulated trousers have either synthetic or down padding and suit harder frosts. Shell trousers are more versatile. By swapping base and mid layers, they work from autumn through spring, and some models also serve as rain protection in summer. Shell trousers are favoured especially on multi-day trips, since they don’t soak up moisture. Separate mid-layer trousers are far quicker to dry back into use than padded trousers.

Sports trousers and tights for running trails and ski tracks

In the Sports trousers category you’ll find running trousers and shorts, ski trousers, cycling trousers and climbing trousers. Above all, these trousers are breathable and comfortable to wear, with excellent freedom of movement. They offer more limited weather protection: they shield you a little from wind but hardly at all from rain. Cross-country ski trousers almost always have a windproof front panel and a stretchy, highly breathable back panel.

Highly breathable windproof trousers

When you need protection from wind but not rain, take a look at our range of windproof trousers. Because these trousers don’t protect against rain, they breathe better than waterproof shell trousers. A good choice for varied outdoor activity and exercise! A common material in these trousers is Gore Windstopper. It is completely windproof yet breathes quite well. Windstopper trousers are a good choice for cross-country skiing and hiking alike, and they work well on brisk Nordic walking outings too, whenever you need proper protection from the wind.

Sailing trousers for all your boating

The materials in sailing trousers are sturdier than in trousers made for hiking. They typically have a high, bib-style upper section and a bellows-like front that opens and closes with a long zip. Sailing trousers fit loosely, with plenty of room underneath for your favourite mid-layer trousers. Reinforced seat panels and knees stand up well to the demands of boating.

Cycling trousers keep you comfortable

Cycling trousers are designed around the demands of sitting in the saddle: proper cycling shorts have a pad, sometimes called a chamois, even though the days of using actual chamois leather as padding are long gone. Thanks to the pad, you sit on a seamless, comfortable surface, and even long rides go by without chafing. Cyclists’ rain trousers have reinforcement fabric at the saddle and adjustable leg cuffs.

Order your trousers from a Finnish online store!

The Finnish company Scandinavian Outdoor delivers your new trousers right to your door, with decades of experience.